This Is Reno's Election Guide

https://thisisreno.com/election2026/congressional-district-2/sherman-tylawsky/

Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District elects one member to the U.S. House of Representatives. The representative must run for re-election every two years.

Questions & answers

1. Are you for or against the recently introduced “Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act”? Why or

why not?

While I hear people’s concerns about the cost of living and wealth inequality, I do not support the “Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act” as a viable legislative solution. I agree individuals who illegally gain wealth should face consequences to the fullest extent of the law. We should also consider making changes to existing laws that do not facilitate a free market. Just as “a rising tide lifts all boats,” I believe in policies that make our district a more attractive place for generating and earning wealth for people of different socio-economic backgrounds.

2. Do you support public financing for federal campaigns and what specific reforms would you back to reduce the influence of money in politics? Why or why not?

I do not support public financing for federal campaigns. The federal government should remain impartial on federal campaigns (regardless of which party controls the presidency and Congress), and voters should freely have the opportunity to decide which candidates to support in our elections.

Supporting local candidates committed to public service is one of the best ways to improve representation in government and reduce the influence of money in our politics. As local residents of this region, we understand and appreciate this part of the country better than anyone else. No amount of money in politics can ever change that fact if we continue to support local candidates dedicated to serving others. I am more than willing to have conversations with voters about ways to participate in our politics.

3. In what ways and to what degree do you support amending federal tax and budget policy to improve financial security and resources for seniors and future retirees?

Education and fiscal responsibility are core principles we need to bring back to this issue and all our politics. We need to ensure Social Security and Medicare are properly funded and run for our seniors. I would explore ways the federal government can make changes to federal tax and budget policy to redirect the country on a more sustainable fiscal path. I also believe we need to explore federal solutions that incentivize quality education about financial security and related resources in our communities. I will remain open to hearing from voters about their concerns on this issue.

4. The recent executive order signed by Donald Trump and labeled “preserving and protecting the integrity of American elections” has raised alarm among election officials and constitutional scholars. How do you respond to this?

I have heard many passionate arguments about election integrity issues, and we need to start with areas where most Americans agree. Requiring voters to show ID before voting and requiring proof of citizenship before voter registration are important to keep our elections safe. Given the technology advancements in recent decades, we should also mitigate new domestic and foreign cyber threats to our election systems. I am open to hearing from voters about their concerns and opinions on election integrity and committed to referencing factual information and quality sources about our elections process.

5. What role should the federal government play in accelerating climate adaptation and resilience efforts in fast-warming communities like Reno?

Our district has multiple environmental-related issues like water management and wildfire risks. We should find solutions that conserve water and other natural resources and spark technological innovation that will help the district become more sustainable. Federal policies that incentivize sound scientific research, technological innovation in the private sector, and infrastructure growth can spur more investment, job opportunities, workforce development, and energy efficiency. I look forward to hearing from residents about protecting our environment and economic growth.

6. How should Congress respond to the growing use of AI in the workplace, particularly when it leads to workforce reductions or changes in public service delivery?

Voters are understandably concerned about AI replacing many current and future jobs and what advanced technology will do to affect the future and purpose of work. I also do not believe mass regulations create a viable path for our workforce. We need to find creative solutions to train our current and future workforce (via academia, apprenticeships, and vocational tracks) and best prepare for future economic conditions shaped by emerging technologies. Most importantly, we need to develop policies that incentivize hard work and strong innovation and restore the purpose of people’s careers. I welcome voters’ input on how AI is affecting our economy and would explore ways we can thrive alongside the technology.

7. What specific federal actions would you support to increase affordable healthy food access in northern Nevada and across the country?

Ensuring a robust supply of healthy food to meet the high demand is essential for making healthy food affordable and more accessible. We should consider nutrition-related changes to federal programs (e.g. SNAP) and regulations that protect people’s health and incentivize people to choose healthy food. We need to strongly support our local Nevada farmers to boost our agricultural output. Quality education about food production and consumption is a potential policy area where local, state, and federal officials can work together for solutions.

8. What specific reforms would you support to restore trust in government and reduce the perception that elected officials are more responsive to wealthy interests than to the public?

We need to bring back authenticity in our government. As a former congressional intern, I served for two dedicated senior Members of the House who worked hard to serve their constituents. We need to strengthen that sense of public service. Many people tell me they believe Congress has become more focused on becoming famous social media ‘influencers’ instead of governing. Congress also needs solutions that ensures the job of a U.S. Representative or Senator is a stint in public service and not for maximizing wealth. We need to consider reforms that restore Congress to a more transparent and accountable governance institution and minimize the incentive for Members to use Congress as a purely entertainment platform. I welcome conversations with voters who have concerns about other issues with trust in government.

9. What specific federal tools would you support to address homelessness, including chronic homelessness, in Nevada and across the country?

Given the complexity of homelessness, I would consider public lands bills that address housing issues and work closely with local and state government on proper health treatment, public safety, and respect for the rights of law-abiding homeowners and businesses. We need to ensure homeless individuals receive the treatment and resources to remove any threat to themselves and others and get them out of homelessness as quickly as possible. We also need to protect public and private property and uphold law and order in our state and country. I am open to hearing from individuals affected by the homeless issues so we can explore new solutions to the homelessness issue.

10. How should Congress address public safety concerns in communities while also protecting civil rights and avoiding over-criminalization?

Maintaining law and order while showing care and compassion must be priorities for Congress. I oppose ‘defund the police’ or any policies that misrepresent the vast majority of law enforcement officers who put their lives at risk every day for the public. We need to give law enforcement the support to remove criminals with the worst offences off our streets and enforce consequences for criminal behavior. Enforcing accountability so law enforcement works within the law is key to protecting civil rights. It is also important to develop and maintain close, positive relationships between law enforcement and residents, business owners, and localities and emphasize a sense of community as part of public safety. I look forward to working with local and state government and partners on solutions for local communities to work closer together on mental health, education, and other issues to support public safety.

11. What specific transportation, housing, and healthcare policies would you support to help older adults remain active, housed, and connected in their communities?

Traveling across our large district, I hear from our older voters the need to apply different solutions to different parts of NV-02 given the varying needs for transportation, housing, and healthcare. We need to ensure our roads are safe to travel and consider supporting additional forms of transportation such as bus and rail service, particularly for rural communities. On housing, we should focus on public lands policies that properly allow new, sustainable housing development, conserve energy resources, protect the environment, and incentivize more convenient transportation options. By protecting Medicare, incentivizing free and fair market competition, enforcing health and safety regulations, and supporting key technological solutions like telehealth, we can support older adults in urban and rural parts of the district.

12. How should federal policy address voting rights and election access, especially amid growing political conflict over how elections are run?

It is critical for policymakers to turn down the temperature of political rhetoric before making critical policy decisions on these issues. Too often, there are individuals in both major parties who make baseless accusations without evidence after elections. We need to elect policymakers who respect the will of the people in every election. As each state is responsible for administering elections, federal policies should help states ensure election systems are free and fair, secure, accessible, and properly run for all eligible voting U.S. citizens. Requiring voter ID before voting and requiring proof of U.S. citizenship before voter registration are top priorities for our election systems. I believe there is a civic duty for elected representatives (inside and outside of policymaking) to encourage and show by example citizen participation in our democracy and federal republic.